House demolished by artillery shell in Mrauk-U

By Khin Tharaphy Oo 26 Mar 2019

Khin Tharaphy Oo/DMG

March 26, Sittwe

A house in Mrauk-U Township’s Taung Oo village was destroyed by artillery fire on Tuesday morning at about 6 AM.

The Tatmadaw troops fired heavy weapons into the village from Yangon-Sittwe road, said U Aung Thein Hlaing, the owner of the house.

“When a military column that marched from Maha Muni Pagoda and arrived near our village, they fired shells into the village. We don’t know why they did this. But I think, they did it to frighten villagers,” he said.

Clashes occurred between the Tatmadaw and AA near Lin Mway Taung and Magyi Taung villages on Monday night from 1 AM to 5 AM. Lin Mway Taung is about one mile away from Taung Oo village. But there was no fighting near Taung Oo village, villagers said.

Both sides did not release any statement about the clash on Monday night.

The DMG called Colonel Win Zaw Oo from the Western Command and Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun from the True News Information Team in the afternoon of March 26, but could not reach them for comment concerning the shell near Taung Oo village.

“My house was hit by artillery shells and bullets. The roof and walls of my house were destroyed. My neighbors’ house also has bullet holes.” U Aung Thein Hlaing said.

Since shells landed on residential areas in Taung Oo village, some houses were slightly destroyed but no casualties were reported, according to villagers.